Masks Like a Chain Link Fence to Block Mosquitoes – Epidemiologist Dr. Harvey Risch on Ask Dr. Drew

We've spent years "being bombarded with plausibility and being told it was science," says Dr. Harvey Risch, Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology at Yale. "It looks like you put something in front of you and it blocks what goes through. But in reality, what you're talking about is putting up a chain link fence and hoping that it blocks mosquitoes." 「 FULL EPISODE」

"There are only, to my knowledge, about three studies that have looked at source control in the COVID era for masking," Dr. Risch continues to Dr. Kelly Victory. "All of them show either zero or very negligible amount of benefit... masks might have a very small and transient benefit and source control. But in the general usage... they probably have very little, maybe zero."

"Where do they get these ideas from?" asks Dr. Drew. How is the government able to get around an individual's freedom of choice, and to mandate that people must wear masks and take vaccines?

The answer, Dr. Risch explains, is in the Jacobson case from 1905, when the Supreme Court ruled that Cambridge, Massachusetts pastor Henning Jacobson was obligated to pay a fine for refusing a smallpox vaccine, despite his insistence that his previous adverse reactions to vaccines made him fear for his health. This Jacobson v. Massachusetts case – and what many saw as government overreach into private health matters – was an early inspiration for the anti-vaccine movement, with the Anti-Vaccination League Of America saying "We have repudiated religious tyranny; we have rejected political tyranny; shall we now submit to medical tyranny?"

US citizens still feel the effects of the case to this day, on both sides of the political aisle. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jacobson v. Massachusetts was used by courts to temporarily uphold Texas' ban on abortions, by claiming they were "non essential" services.

「 MEDICAL NOTE 」

The CDC states that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and reduce your risk of severe illness. Hundreds of millions of people have received a COVID-19 vaccine, and serious adverse reactions are uncommon. Portions of this program will examine countervailing views on important medical issues. You should always consult your personal physician before making any decisions about your health.

「 with DR. VICTORY 」

Dr. Kelly Victory MD is a boardcertified trauma and emergency specialist with over 15 years of clinical experience. She served as CMO for Whole Health Management, delivering onsite healthcare services for Fortune 500 companies. She holds a BS from Duke University and her MD from the University of North Carolina. Follow her at

「 ABOUT the SHOW 」

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「 ABOUT DR. DREW 」

For over 30 years, Dr. Drew has answered questions and offered guidance to millions through popular shows like Celebrity Rehab (VH1), Dr. Drew On Call (HLN), Teen Mom OG (MTV), and the iconic radio show Loveline. Now, Dr. Drew is opening his phone lines to the world by streaming LIVE from his home studio. Watch all of Dr. Drew's latest shows at

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